Friday, March 9, 2012

Paris Theatre

The Paris Theatre is the first of the post-war movie houses constructed in Manhattan. It is located at 4 West 58th Street next to Bergdorf Goodman and directly across from the Plaza Hotel. Currently showing at the theatre is the movie called "The Artist," winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.The theatre opened on September 13, 1948, with Marlene Dietrich cutting the ribbon in the presence of the Ambassador to France. The original movie operator, Pathe, ran the theatre until 1990. Loew’s then took over, and the theatre was known for a while as the Fine Arts Theatre. Renamed the Paris Theatre, as of 2009, City Cinemas is the movie operator. This luxurious art house in Manhattan’s Midtown has an Art Moderne exterior. The auditorium has blue velvet walls and seating for 421 on the main floor and in the 150 in the balcony. It has excellent projection and sound. The atmosphere is elegant, including with well attired and helpful staff. The Paris Theatre is one of the very best places to see art house films in Manhattan. It frequently plays foreign films (especially French films). Many premieres have been hosted by the Paris Theatre. (Information from http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/307).